Engine Replacement 04 z71

[flyguy]

Hello. I searched many pages and couldn't find any numbers, so will ask here.

Thought it was just an exhaust or lifter issue, but took it in and they tell me engine is toast. I have only had the rig for about 20k miles. rig has 120 on it.

How much should a new engine install cost from a mechanic? My regular mechanic who currently has the rig says $5700. That seems quite high considering I can buy the motor with free shipping for $1800-2100.

He says he can do a used one with 60k on it for $3400.

I like the rig, and it has already had the tranny replaced at 105k.

Do these prices seem in line to you?

What would you do?

TIA

 

[MO Viet Vet]

A lot has to do with the warranty and the quality of what you are getting and the split of labor and the rest. By the way, how is the engine "toast"? Not much detail here.

 

[flyguy]

A lot has to do with the warranty and the quality of what you are getting and the split of labor and the rest. By the way, how is the engine "toast"? Not much detail here.

I cannot give more detail as to the "toast" part until I talk to him later today. Both top and bottom were gone he said yesterday, which to be honest doesn't mean much to me. I know it sounded bad, really bad, when I dropped it off.

3yr/100k mile warranty. I spoke with him this morning, and he said $1600 of that was labor, the rest engine and parts. He will be getting back to me later today with a breakdown of why the engine and parts will cost the remaining $4200.

I have made calls out to a couple different shops in Portland, which is a few hours from me. I am waiting for calls back from 2, and one said $6400, which is no improvement.

I only paid 10k for the rig in the first place, but it is nice, and I think it will make sense to do this job, even if it is $5700. If I can get it done right for less I would certainly like to.

 

[MO Viet Vet]

If you are keeping then do a Jasper reman engine, none better IMO. They also can supply an engine install kit at a reduced price. That includes belts, hoses, gaskets....etc. The tech you are dealing with hopefully knows that replacing the engine is just part of it. It will only run and perform as good as everything else that works with it. Like the above mentioned kit and spark plugs, wires, new hose clamps, oil cooler flush, address the mounts while in there...etc.

 

[flyguy]

Just spoke to the guy and he politely went through the itemized list with me.

It is a Jasper reman with the kit. They are replacing the radiator, water pump, a bunch of belts, hoses and connectors not included in the kit. He listed a bunch of other crap they were testing or replacing I cant remember. All in all, he accounted for the entire job clearly and politely.

Considering his is the lowest of three bids I have gotten so far, it seems this is just how much the job costs if you have to pay someone else to do it.

Thanks for the replies.

 

[MO Viet Vet]

Yep, the radiator protects that new engine and I can tell you that at different places on that new engine there will be tabs that are heat sensitive that will tell Jasper in a warranty situation, never had one with them, whether you overheated the engine and that is what caused the failure. The radiator loses cooling capacity with age and is very important. Sounds good to me.